If You Need More Chemo

Your cancer may not return, but you and your doctor will need to watch closely for signs of a relapse. Some people never have to go through cancer treatment again. Others need to be treated more than once with surgery, chemotherapy (chemo), and/or radiation. If cancer comes back, you may have to go through another course of treatment.

What Is Remission?

Complete remission is when all signs and symptoms of cancer are greatly reduced or are gone, but cancer may still exist in the body. Partial remission is when some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer are gone. Getting frequent tests and follow-up checkups will let your doctor know if or when you need to adjust your post-chemo health plan. If you need more treatment, your doctor may suggest surgery, chemo, radiation, or other forms of treatment.

A cancer treatment that uses the radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

A sign or indicator of a disease or illness. For example, a fever can be a symptom of an infection.